Binding strip for running-board treads



Feb. 1,5, 1927.

R. BERINGER BINDING STRIP FOR RUNNING BOARD TREADS Filed May 25, 1923 Patented Feb. 15,Y 1927.V

rire? g 'Roscoe permitiera, 'en iiinrr'torifr, iirioifieair; fissiefnfonro 1enitEnfin `'iv'rorons ydora- 1 oRATIoi\T, or nETRoi'r, MICHIGAN, A Conronni'iion 'or DELAWARE.

BiivniNe srnir Foa RUNNING-BOARD iiraniens.. '1

yiippiic'mion fiiea ivray e5, i923.- seriai No. y641,446.y

My invention relates to the running boards of -automobiles and similar self-proelled vehicles, such running boards extending longitudinally at the-sides of 'the vehicle and 'constituting an elongated step to enable thedriver or passengers to enter and leave the vehicle body con'veniei'itly;V l v Running boards of motor driven and similar vehicles are ordinarily provided vwith an upperisurface or layer of no'n-'me- .v tallic resilient lmaterial similar in many respects to the material ordinarily known las linoleum, or with a sheet `of rubber 0r equivalent non-metallic surface, they purpose of the tread or mat thus provided being to prevent slipping of a person entering ,or leaving the vehicle andxprovidel a .better appearing running board than one having an exposed upper surface ofmetal throughout; and the principal object of my invention is to providean improved molding or binding strip adapted to extend along anledge and, ordinarily, about the periphery oftherunning board and of the non-metallic tread portion or facing thereof, and which strip acts to hold the edges of said facing or tread in yengagement with the periphery of the running board, and thus hold the tread itself properlyassembled with therunning board.

A further object of Vmy invention is to provide an improved molding strip and holding down member for the periphery of the' non-metallic tread whereby the tread will be held properly assembled withthe running board by. fastening-members which are concealed, so that the surface lof 4the runningboard and ofthe Ymolding strip which is visible from' outsidethe vehicle is smooth and continuous throughout; thus presenting a more. pleasing appearance than Y would be the case,;if Athe .tread were held in place, for example, rby fastening ineinbers the heads of which were visible.l

With the above and otherobjects o f-invention in View, my invention consists in the improved binding and tread .securing strip illustrated in the ,accoiiipanyiigl drawingand hereinafter described and eipiained; and sud-'1. variationsv and modificati-:Qns ther-teo@ Within the" SCOP@ 0f. the. Concluding ciairns, as. will be obviousto those skilled .inthe art to which iii-y invention; relates. .l

Irlfthe fllfwig. accompanying and .forminvention.

the

,theI .preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated: p'

` Figure 1 isa fragmentary view showing the lower p'ortion'of the body'of anj automobile, and therunning boai'd associated therewith, in side elevation; the' latter being equipped with a binding and holding down accordance with my invention.. y

showing the parts in fplanj;v this'view as .strip for the mat or tread thereof made in well also as Figure l being broken away inv pai'tsrto better Vshow various features of the Figureg. is a fender, upon a vertical longitudinal plane i indicated by the line 4 4, Figure 2.

view showing a section upon a vertical transverse 'plane indicated by the lFigure 5I is a fragmentary viewshowing V a section, through'the outer exposed edge 'of the run-ningboard, together with my iinproved tread vholding strip and molding, upon a, vertical .transverse plane indicated by the linev f, Figure 2. l Y

Figure 6 is 'afragmentary view upon aA vertiealvtransverse plane indicated by the line (v3- 6, Figure 2, showing a section at the innerv side .or edge of the running'board where it is connected with theusual dust n shield, the tread surface or mat of the ru-nning board being held in proved molding strip. l g Figure 7 is a fragmentary View showing a section atthe rear -elfl .0f the' running place by my im# board and front end of thel rearV fender which is fastenedto said rearend, the figure being upon a vertical longitudinal vplane indicated by theline 7--7,-Figure 2. n Y VFigures 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional Iview-s showing a modiiiedgforin of my improved holding strip and molding de-V signed especiallyfor use in connection with .wooden running boards. A.

lteferiiignow to. thedrawing,k the running board with vgfhich"I my invention isy shownas irsed in Figures. f tov 6l inclusi-ve comprises. a plate '101 inadeof sheet metal of roperthickness and which VYrunning beard extendsv bt-weenthe front` and rear edrs and is fastened t6 @Eem and to the body of the vehicle; the 4rear end of the front fender being `indicated by the numeral 11, and the front end of the` rear fender byV the numeral 12. This running board is obviously of sufficient width to afford a firm foothold' for the driver or occupant in en-k tering or leaving the vehicle, the body portion of which is designated bythe numeral 13; and the running board illustrated is shownas used in connection with the 'usual dust shield 141: the upper edge of which is secured along the joint between the under side of the body and the frame 15V of the vehicle, and the lower edge of which is secured along the rear edge of the running board. i Y f v Y The'sideedges of the sheet of metal from which the running board is formed are bent downward, as indicated at 1G1G,and inward as shown at 17-17, to thereby pro- Vvide channels at said` edges and increase the strength and stiffness ofthe board structure; and the front and rear Vends ofthe metal fromV which the running' boardis formed are bent downward to provide f flanges 18-18 adjacent the ends of the front and rear fenders to facilitate the fastening ofY the endsrof the running board to the fenders. i

The running board being as will be appreciated of considerable area, andof slightthickness, vis strengthened by a sufficient number of longitudinally extending sills designated by the Areference numeral I 19; these sills being arranged edgewise, and having flanges 20 at their upper and lower sides for increasing their strength and providing Va )ro er bearing for the runnin@ boai'd as will be appreciated. The front and rear ends of these sills'are heldin fixed relation i' to the running board in any suitable wayV as by means of rightangular Vbrackets 21 secured to the front and rear depending flanges 18, or directly to thev said flanges as shown at 22 in Figure 3; and said running Y board is supported from the side bars 15 of the frame by a suitable number of brackets dependingV therefrom and having horizontal supporting portions 23 extending laterally beneath the sills 19l and fastened to the lower flanges 2O of saidsills as 'by means of suitable bolts 2d.' Y

The upper surface of the ruiming board is covered by a non-metallic vfacing 25 made from any suitable material such, for example, as sheet lcork composition commonly referred to as linoleum, `or kfroma molded rubber or equivalent material composition; the Ypurpose of thejmat or tread surface tlius provided being to provide a firm foot hold for one entering or leaving the body of the vehicle to preventv slipping at such times, Vand toprov-ide a more pleasing appearance fo'rthe running board than would be the case if the exposed surfacel thereof was of metal. This layer or facing overlies the upper side of and extends throughout periphery thereof is fastened to the periphery of the running board by my im-V proved binding strip` orlmolding, which in the embodiment of my invention illustrated extends about said periphery and holds the same in place relative to the edge of the running Vboard; and rin addition providing a finished edge for the' mat or tread thus provided and prevents the same fromV becoming frayed or injured, as it will be appreciated that the same is made from a comparatively brittle material.

the entire area of the running board and the My limprovedbinding and edge holding and an upper horizontal corrugated portion 26 whichoverlies the rear edge ofthe tread 25` when the parts are assembled, Vas best shown in Figure 3. Extending longitudir nally of and enclosing the depending portion is a folded or U-sha'ped'non-metallic packing strip 27 the sides of which'lie between said depending portion and the inside depending flange 16 of the' running board, and betweensaid dependingV portion rand the lower edge of the dust shield 14;

thepurpose of said packing strip vbeing to avoid a metal to metal contact between the parts at the place in question and Vthereby prevent rattling or squeaki'iig, ldue Vto relative movement between said parts; The inside Vedge of vthe running board and the lower edge of the dust shield lll are fastened together by bolts 28, as shown in'liigure .6, with the depending portion 125 of fthe inside holding strip and the Vsides of theV U- shaped vpacking (strip linterposed between said parts, as illustrated in said ligure.`

ino

lli)

When thus assembledthe upper portion 26 of the binding strip overlies the rear edge of the tread 25 and holds itv in proper position upon the upper surface of Vthe running board; and the corrugatioiis formed in said overlying portion provide for aV more cure grip along the edge of the non-metallic tread, and provide also ar construction hav ling a more pleasing appearance than would otherwise be the case.Y The portions Vof the V binding strip intermediate adjacent bolts .Y 28-may be secured to the depending side edges 16 of the running board by rivet-s 29;

-as many bolts 28 and rivets 29 being em- 159V CII Leinen? :ployed as may be `.deei'nedi:necessary @infamy hold the front and rear ends otftfhe tread to,

the running board, anddepending portions 31A which extend down'between the dependiing-end ianges` 18 ofthe -runningboard and similar .depending portions '111 andli22-of the yfront and-rear fenders.l Suitable*packing' strips 32 are provi-ded between the Abinding strip and said depending portions-to- -prevent rattling or squeaking; andj theendsof the running `boardand' the adjacent ends vof the fenders fare held together'lby bolts .33 lia-ving nutsand washers, as `best shown in Figures 4 and 7', suitable stri-ps34fbeing preferably'employed` to reinforce the Vedges Vofthe, fenders, as will be appre'ciated".

The outer side or-edge of the noni-metallic tread' orA facing Vfor the running board is heldin -placealongathe ,outer edgef of4 the board by means` ,of a binding.*andwholtling strip ofsomewhat 'different construction 4than-'the strips above referredto; the-same comprising an lupper horizontal. corrugated portion 35, andi" a depending portion-36 which formsthe i outer exposedsurfacef of the outer .holding stripy when the saine is in. usej AVThe'lorver edge of the outer portion 36 is turned inward, as indicated at 37 and the reference numeral 38 designates a fastener carrying strip extending along the depending portion 36 and the lower end of which is held in place by the inturned portion 37 engaging the lower end of said strip, as shown in Figures 3 and V5. The upper end of this strip extends into a groove or bead, as shown at 39, formed in the corner between the vhorizontal portion 35 and the vertical portion 36'of the binding strip in question; whereby as will be appreciated the fastener carrying strip reinforces the binding and edge holding strip throughout its entire length. Y

The strip 38 is provided with depressions 40 spaced along the same for receiving the heads of fastening bolt-s 41, which fastening bolts extend through cup-shaped spacers or washers 42 surrounding theV depressions`38 and the bases of which Washers bear 'upon the inner side of the longitudinally extending depending flange 16 of the running board; said flange having openings of suffi-` cient diameter to permit the depressions 40 to Venter thereinto so that the fastener carrying strip will bear against said flange between the bolts and throughout practically its entire area, all as will be understood from Figure 5 of the drawing. l

Figures 8 and 9 show a form of my improved binding strip for the tread of a running board adapted for use in connection with wooden running boards; these views .fof hating along :thei- :outta4 edge ofethearunnian'g AboardJ In these figures the l referencenumeral' 43 Kmuch thickerv than f the runningiboard: heizeinbeforereferredl to, as .the is assumed to 'be 'froml wood,"` 'whiiletlre numeral 44Y designates-g the composition' tread. ovenlying the sup'lier surface fof the runningboard.

- f This for-nr of' my improved: binding strip com-prises a vertically .extendingportion :45 extending.- ;alon g .the fouteiwedgefof' the ning board, `arulplrefenabllfysonielittle.- irdistance below :the lfsa-ine @to 1 conceal the .nuts of rthef bolts .which fasten@y the l strip, tothe board. The strip tif-metal fromwhich the bindingstrip fais formed#` has vaninwardly extending corrugated, toppo'rtion 46, 'andra fastener carrying pontion'47 lying .beneath the port-ion 46 ;v the'pontions .47', 464v andr'415 being integralwi-th one another and formed from -azsuitable strip 1o-f metal by bending tersun'kfzopenings--48 spaced; along yits Y length.;

these' Openings being provided andthe-fas toningbolts -beingasser'nloled therewith l befere the Strip. .is bent.. and :folded inte. its final formel1-own, as willv be appreciated.,

@rence @designate-Mts the binding strip as a whole in assembled relation with the running board with the corrugated exposed surface 46 thereof V,above the edge of the ltread 44, the heads 50 of said bolts lyingwithin the depressions 48 and being covered by said corrugatedy portion, as will be understood from Figure 8.

It therefore follows that when the parts are assembled the outer exposed surface 45 of the binding strip conceals the outer edge of the l below the under Side thereof so as to conceal Vthe nuts ofthe bolts 49,the horizontal corrugated portion 46 of the strip as a whole overlies the outer edgeof the composition or yrunning board 43, and extends downward other non-'metallic tread 44, while the heads of the bolts which fasten the parts together are held within the depressions 48 of thefastener portion 47 of the molding and are thus concealed. n

Having thus described and explained my invention I claim and desire to secure by' Letters Patent:

l. In combination with the running board of a vehicle, and ai mat or tread overlying the upper surface of said board; a binding strip extending along an edge of said board and comprising a vertical portion, and a horizontal portion overlying the edge aforesaid and the corresponding -edge yof said tread, and extending over and engaging the upper yside ofv said tread along said edge; a fastener Carrying strip assembled with Yand V'extending throughout the length ofthe vertical portion aforesaid Vof said .binding stripg'and aV plurality yof fasteners carried by said fastener carrying strip fand whereby said binding strip maybe secured along the edge aforesaid of said running board.

2. lA binding .strip for .holding` the side edge of ag tread -to a running boardfthe same` comprising a vertical portion, and a horizontal portion at the .upper end of'said vertical portion.; =a fastener Ycarrying strip assembled with and overlying the vertical portion of said binding strip; and a plurality of fastening bolts carried by said fastener ltical portion aforesaid', and the upper edge of which extends along and is retained Vin place within the angle between said vertical and` horizontal portions, and the lower edge of .which-isiheld in engagement with the ver-V tical yportion' aforesaid by an inwardly and upwardly turned flange at the lower edge o f said verticallyextending portion; and a plurality of attached bolts carried by and spaced along 'said fastener carrying strip2 and the heads of which are concealed by the vertically 'extending portionv aforesaid of said binding strip. Y

4. A binding strip for holding the free edge of a tread in engagement with a running board yand for protecting the same, said strip comprising a vertically extending portion, and a horizontal portion at the upper end of said vertically extending portion; afastener carrying strip assembled with and overlying the inner side of the vertical portion aforesaid,and .the upper edge of'which extends along and is retained in place within the angle between saidjvertical and horizontal portions, `and the lower edge of which is held in engagement with thevertical portion aforesaid by an inwardly and upwardly turned flange at the lower edge of said 'Vertically extending portion, and which fastener carrying stripy is provided with a series of depressions spaced along the same; and a plurality of bolts` extending through holes provided in said depressions `and the heads of which lie within said depressions, and are concealed by the vertically extendingfportion aforesaid of said binding strip.

In testimonyfwhereof I aiiix my signature. Y `ROSCOE BERINGER. Y 

